Laptop not using dedicated graphics card.

I just purchased an "ASUS N53SV-SX787V" I have noticed that it is using the onboard intel graphics card instead of the "NVIDIA GT540M" I have checked the bios and cant find anywhere to change which card it uses.

Can someone please help me find out how to change which card is used?

thanks,

 

It is dependant on which programs being used.

I'm just going on what people have said around these forums but I'm sure when you use 3d applications such as games then your dedicated graphics card will come into action, this is a resource saving design.

For normal desktop activity you don't need to use the 3d graphics so a onboard device is there to save power.

 

When I am playing a graphic intense game how can I tell if it is now using the NVIDIA card? Do I just use dxdiag again?

 

It will be pretty clear, you will notice immediately if the 3d card isn't working

 

You have to whitelist the game

In the NVIDIA Control Panel, under the 3D Setting > Manage 3D Setting

On the right side of the screen

Select the Global Setting tab
under "Prefer graphic processor" Select "High Performance NVIDIA Processor"

Now click on the Program setting tab

click on "Add" and navigate to wherever directory your game is installed and select the exe file for your game.

Then click on "Open" and after you done the adding, under the 2. Select prefer graphic processor for this program select "High Performance NVIDIA Processor" then click "Apply"

 

Thanks for the input,,that I didnt know,,the "ONE" that auto switches with graphics cards seamless is "Optimus", however these seamless switches from one graphics card to another is preprogrammed and not perfect,, Heres an article on it by pc mag that goes into it.

"Optimus is a completely new technology, one that would require next-generation Nvidia graphics cards, new motherboards, and Nvidia software to make the switch between graphics automatic and seamless. With existing switching graphics technologies, hardware components called multiplexers ("muxes") would handle this switch, taking up valuable space on the motherboard and slowing transition times. Optimus is less demanding from a hardware standpoint and decides for the user which graphics system yields the best results, by developing an entire software ecosystem around it.

Instead of the user, an Nvidia software driver decides what tasks need more graphics horsepower. For instance, basic tasks like checking e-mail, installing software, or creating documents are recognized by Optimus as non 3D-intensive. For these tasks the discrete GPU and all the PCI-e lanes will be turned off. According to Nvidia, there is no current flowing to the graphics chipset when the discrete GPU is disabled, and thus, battery life would not take a hit. Conversely, if a 3D game was launched or a Website like Hulu begins playing back high definition clips, the discrete GPU is instantly—and automatically—enabled.

Determining when the discrete GPU should be utilized is trickier. Since there's no longer a way to manually switch graphics systems, Nvidia relies on what it calls Optimus Profiles, similar to how virus definitions are written for malware. These profiles are written for each application based on their call types. Certain video playback, for instance, will trigger the switch, as will CUDA-enabled applications, which is based on Nvidia's proprietary software. The third and probably the most difficult profiles to create are for 3D games, which, if you think about it, should come natural given Nvidia's reputation. Not only does Nvidia have to create a different profile for 3D games like Crysis and World in Conflict, but it also has to create individual ones for basic 2D games like Minesweeper and Solitaire, instructing the discrete GPU to stand down during these scenarios."


Nvidia Optimus: What You Need to Know - How Does Optimus Work? | PCMag.com

Cheers
3Fees

 

3Fees,

The article is from Feb 9, 2010.

Much improved since then, imo.

 

its the same idea,,Nvida has added more profiles, ect to seamless switch, Take your own advice "wisdom listens quietly",,lol

Cheers
3Fees

 

Hehehe in the alienware forums we get post after post about Optimus, how it doesn't work, how life is BSOD free once you disable the integrated graphics etc...

I still don't think the implementation is there yet for Optimus, and from experience, the "seamless" switching between integrated and dedicated GPu is faulty at best. It works for many apps, not for others

you have to force it with steps listed above for any chance of decent performance

 

True,,just read some reviews,,peeps can't get some games to work as they are not nvida profiled,,one said lesson learned--research before you buy,,good comment dont assume your games will work look it up in clubs, ect before committing to buy.

Nvida whitepaper on Optimus Technology Home page is "2009",,PC Mag article is "super current".

Optimus Technology

+1 for slickdude80 and contributors here, I'm in there are you?

Cheers
3Fees

 

Oh, for games.

I'm talking for business use: never had a problem there and the battery savings are worth every penny nVidia makes on Optimus.

Not looking down on games, but as a group those are the software titles most likely to be rushed out prematurely, under developed (reliability-wise) and abandoned way before they should be (in my opinion, as long as the developer is still in business, they should 'never' be abandoned).

Maybe you shouldn't be looking down on Optimus/nVidia - it is the game developers that seem to be at fault here to me. (From my experience with the business software side).

 

rep right back at you, bro

 

Thankyou everyone for all your replies, you have all been very helpful.

thanks,

 

Created a forums account to thank you for this!!!!

Had issues w/ my new laptop not using the graphics card...and was confused why there was the integrated graphics being used as well.

Minecraft went from 30fps to 100! Thank you, thank you, thank you!